Up-Front Podcasts
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In this episode, Christina Hathorn, Chief Human Resources Officer at Ratcliff Companies, shares why skill gaps and inexperience are making it more critical to improve communications. Learn how proactive communication and early issue detection - when there's only smoke before the fire starts - can help prevent small problems from becoming costly delays, quality issues, and safety risks.
In this episode, Tunde Onadele Jr., Vice President of Operations at Core Builders, shares why miscommunication is one of the biggest hidden costs in construction. Learn how better planning, disciplined communication between general contractors and subcontractors, and early issue escalation prevent small misunderstandings from compounding into costly project delays.
In this episode, Brent Wiggins, AOG Director of Operations at Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems, shares a powerful leadership lesson. He believes that low engagement among an "Aircraft on Ground" team who are regarded as Navy SEALs of Aviation, says more about leadership than employees, and that trust and listening encourage frontline employees to speak up.
In this episode, Jon Hiivala, Chief People Officer at Wescom, Inc, shares how building an ownership culture is a lot like falling in love — it happens through countless small actions, not a single event. Learn how leaders can foster accountability, purpose, and employee voice across a dispersed frontline workforce, and why culture doesn't scale automatically.
In this episode, Mehmet Genc, Director of Operations in Europe for Turner Construction Company, shares why the biggest safety risk isn't the hazard you know about. It's the one nobody reports. Learn how psychological safety, two-way communication, leadership responsiveness, and frontline trust help surface risks early, prevent incidents, and create stronger project performance.
In this episode, Stephanie Levin, Global Vice President of Human Resources at Corza Medical, shares why silence from leaders can be more damaging than uncertainty during times of change. Learn how frontline managers build trust, why listening is a leadership superpower, and how consistent two-way communication keeps employees informed, engaged, and aligned when it matters most.
In this episode, Tony Ferrucci, Vice President of Operations at INTERSTATE, shares how frontline leaders must rethink communication and feedback in today’s 4-generation workforce. Learn why continuous listening, pulse checks, and leadership presence are essential to avoid missing critical signals that impact culture, retention and operational success.
Ashutosh Banerjee, Vice President of Digital Operations at GE HealthCare, shares why more workplace tools don’t always create stronger connection. Learn how leading global organizations are rethinking communication, reducing tool fatigue, simplifying workflows, and adapting to Gen Z expectations to build more connected and engaged frontline teams.
In this episode, Devesh Sinha, Chief People Officer at Dave & Buster’s, shares how generational shifts are reshaping frontline work. Learn why outdated communication methods no longer work, and how real-time, mobile-first tools and evolving expectations are redefining engagement, training, and retention at scale.
In this episode, Casey Oware, Vice President of HR at Encompass Energy, shares why winning the war for frontline talent depends critically on the ability of companies to scale individual connection, not just communication. Learn how building genuine connections at scale can improve employee retention, employee engagement and business performance.
In this episode, JonPaul McFarland, HR Director at ALSCO, shares how reducing turnover from 78% to 48% required more than one initiative. He describes the set of actions and communication he implemented. Plus learn why info dumps in daily meetings are often not enough, and how two-way communication and listening in the moment drive real employee engagement.
In this episode, Denis Boudailliez, Chief Operations Officer at John Cockerill, shares how his “Yellow Sheet” system works on the frontline. He also talks about why scaling with automation and AI must be done carefully and at the right time. Learn how to maintain visibility, accountability, and human connection to avoid eroding trust when introducing new tools.
In this episode, Jen Crawford, HR Director at Buckeye Power Sales, shares why the most important part of employee feedback isn’t collecting their inputs, but following up with the employees. She explains how closing the loop, even when ideas can’t be implemented, builds trust with frontline teams who are often unheard, and drives engagement and better performance.
In this episode, Mike Beckwith, VP of Operations at Odyssey Logistics, pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes puzzle of the modern 3PL industry. His frontline team juggles hundreds of moving parts to meet every client’s unique needs, with effective communication and rapid coordination in real-time making the difference between chaos and on-time delivery.
In this episode, Njsane Courtney, Vice President, Human Resources at American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), calls frontline supervisors the true “translators” of strategy. Discover how leaders can bridge the gap between boardroom vision and daily operations through empathy, intentional connection, and communication that makes every employee feel heard, valued, and aligned and boosts performance.
In this episode, Edgar Hernandez, senior operations executive at companies like Nestle, Electrolux, and Schneider Electric, talks about how poor communication creates uncertainty, erodes trust, and leads to lower productivity and quality issues on the frontline. Learn why transparent, consistent updates and inclusive dialogue are essential for reducing rumors, strengthening engagement, and driving better performance.
In this episode, Gargi Sharma with senior product leadership roles at PayPal and Capital One shares why call center and customer support teams are the most powerful sources of real-time intelligence for better products and processes. Learn how frontline feedback can uncover customer pain faster, improve processes, and drive smarter, more human-centered decisions at scale.
In this episode, Erik Hayes, HR Director at Gulf Winds International, shares why what happens on the frontline every single day is nothing short of a miracle. He explains how easy it is for frontline work to become a grind—and why drawing a clear line of sight between daily work and business success is essential to engagement, purpose, and performance.
In this episode, Dave Myer, an HR executive who has spent most of his career working with frontline employees at companies like Rheem Manufacturing, Panasonic and GE, shares how tiny issues quietly erode quality when workers don’t have a voice. Learn how fast, simple feedback loops empower employees and improve performance.
Randy Wilson, VP of HR at HEI Civil, shares how the most effective frontline leaders need to lead like a sports coach, balancing high accountability with genuine care. Learn how leaders who know their people, build trust, and communicate with intention drive safer, stronger, and more engaged frontline teams.